Grandparents Day Trivia

Learn the things you never knew about Grandparents Day

In 1978, the U.S. Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day, an annual celebration to honor grandparents and other seniors and to recognize their contributions to society and the link they provide younger generations to America’s national heritage and traditions.

Who Thought of Grandparents Day?
President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation, which made it official, but Grandparents Day was really the idea of Marian McQuade, a West Virginia homemaker and mother of 15, who was a lifelong advocate for seniors and became a national leader on senior issues.

Maybe you already know the basic facts about Grandparents Day, but did you know that Grandparents Day has an official flower and an official song? For a little extra fun on Grandparents Day this year, check out the following Grandparents Day trivia and share it with someone you love.

What is the Official Flower of Grandparents Day?
The forget-me-not was adopted as the official flower of Grandparents Day by the National Grandparents Day Council on April 20, 1999. The choice of the forget-me-not as the Grandfathers Day flower serves not only as encouragement to create lasting memories by nurturing relationships between the generations, but also as a poignant reminder that the time to pursue those relationships is limited.

What is the Official Song of Grandparents Day?
“A Song for Grandma and Grandpa,” by Johnny Prill, is the official song of National Grandparents Day. Prill’s songs have been performed or recorded by music legends Bobby Vinton and Wayne Newton, among others.

About the Grandparents Day song Prill wrote and recorded, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan said: "You have put into words the unique relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren."

• Read the song lyrics


• Watch a music video

What are the “Signs” of Success for Grandparents Day?
In 1998, on the 25th anniversary of the first West Virginia observance of Grandparents Day, Marian McQuade was honored by new West Virginia state highways signs, erected outside her hometown, that announce Oak Hill, West Virginia as the “Home of Marian McQuade, Founder of National Grandparents Day.”

Why is Grandparents Day in September?
September was chosen as the time for Grandparents Day to help symbolize that grandparents and other seniors are in the autumn years of life.

For more interesting information about grandparents and Grandparents Day, see All About Grandparents Day and Fun Facts About Grandparents.